Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Request

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

If you are the parent of a dependent student, you are eligible to apply. If you have any questions, we can be reached at 770-720-5667 or financialaid@reinhardt.edu.

A Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a loan for parents of a dependent student to help pay for the student's educational expenses. The parent borrower is responsible for repaying the loan. To apply for a PLUS loan, the parent applicant must meet the following requirements:

The student must be enrolled in at least six credit hours for sixteen weeks during the semester, and be otherwise eligible for federal aid.

The lender for a Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan is the U.S. Department of Education.

How to Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan

Student must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to list Reinhardt's Federal school code: 001589. The FAFSA should be completed by Reinhardt's May 1 deadline. You will need to apply for an FSA ID at www.fafsa.ed.gov to electronically sign the FAFSA.

Complete the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Request at the bottom of this page.

Your loan disbursement(s) will be sent directly to Reinhardt for the appropriate semester(s). To be eligible for your loan disbursement(s), your son or daughter must be registered for a minimum of six hours in at least sixteen weeks each semester.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Limits

The Direct PLUS loan has a fixed interest rate of 7.6% (subject to change). There is also an origination fee that is deducted before the loan proceeds are sent to the school. To ensure that you receive the amount you expect, be sure to take these loan fees into consideration as you calculate your request amount. Also, keep in mind the amount you request will be divided into equal amounts each semester.

Repayment

Repayment of a PLUS loan begins on the date of the last disbursement. Parent PLUS loan borrowers whose funds were first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, have the option of delaying their repayment on the PLUS loan either 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed or six months after the dependent student is not enrolled at least half-time. During this time, interest may be paid by the parent or capitalized.*

Additional Federal Disbursement Rules

One Semester Loans: According to Federal regulations, loans that cover one semester must be issued in two payments, one at the beginning of the term, and the second halfway through the term.

Multiple Semester Loans: According to Federal regulations, loans for multiple semesters must be disbursed in equal amounts.The school will first apply the PLUS loan to the student's account to pay for tuition, fees, room, and board and other school charges. If any loan funds remain, they will be sent to the parent borrower, unless the parent authorizes the school to hold the funds or release them to the student. Any remaining funds must be used for educational expenses.

Student Enrollment RequirementsIf the student withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment, the remaining loan disbursements will be canceled and no longer available to you. Any disbursement already made to the school will be subject to a Federal Return to Title IV calculation, which will determine whether funds will need to be refunded to the Department of Education.

Request Form

Parent PLUS Loan Borrower Certification: I authorize Reinhardt University to apply PLUS proceeds via electronic funds transfer to my son or daughter’s Reinhardt University student account. Any remaining funds may then be applied to outstanding charges. Any PLUS Loan funds exceeding charges will be mailed to the address of record unless written notification is received. I further authorize permission for the lender or guarantor to perform a credit check to determine my eligibility for the loan. In order to complete the PLUS Loan process, I understand that I must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) provided by the lender or guarantor.

Due to Title IV Federal regulations, Reinhardt University must obtain your consent to apply any portion of your Title IV awards from Direct Federal Stafford Loans, PELL Grant, Smart Grant, or FSEOG to any charges other than tuition, room and board, or required fees.

Right to Cancel: You have the Right to Cancel all or part of your Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. You must submit a loan cancellation within fourteen days of the disbursement or before the first day of class, whichever is latest, so that no interest will be charged and loan fees will be canceled. You may request a loan cancellation by submitting a letter with an original signature via mail, fax, or by sending an email to your Financial Aid Counselor.

*Please understand that by canceling all or a portion of your loan disbursement, you will be responsible for any outstanding balances owed to the University.